Thieves Ignore Cameras, Caught with Cans in Hand

Two area residents have been identified as the culprits who stole empty cans that were being used to help pay for a community's annual fireworks show.

According to the Bremer County Sheriff, Nicholas Schwartz and Stephany Hewitt, both 28 and both from Janesville, are the people identified in a surveillance video posted online by the Frederika Fire Department.

The two are seen stealing bags of recyclable cans from a wire cage outside the fire department building.

Local residents drop off cans that are later redeemed for money that the Frederika Volunteer Fire Department uses to finance the town's yearly July 4th fireworks show.

The suspects are accused of raiding the can deposit twice in the last few weeks, even reaching over a sign that warned that surveillance cameras were monitoring the site at all times. The surveillance footage was put on Facebook, and the thieves were identified shortly after.